Pets are susceptible to a number of everyday health problems that can range anywhere from hairballs to an infestation of fleas. Thankfully, there are some home remedies – for both cats and dogs – that could prevent frequent visits to the vet. Although, you should always check with your pet’s doctor before treating maladies at home.
Hairballs: While there isn’t a magical solution to stop your cat from coughing up hairballs, there is one to help your cat pass them more easily. PetMD suggests you feed your cat half a teaspoon of butter once a day for a few days.
Bladder maintenance: If your cat is having problems doing his business, it could indicate a serious problem that requires immediate medical attention. For urinary maintenance, PetMD recommends trying unsweetened cranberry juice, which can increase urine acidity and help prevent problems. You can add cranberry powder to your cat’s food or cranberry juice to his water.
Hot spots: When dogs feel something irritating their skin, their instinct is to scratch — and lick and scratch some more. Eventually, the area becomes inflamed. First, the Pet Poison Helpline suggests that you remove the fur or hair around the hot spot with grooming clippers, and then gently clean the area with a damp cloth or gauze pad. Then, two or three times a day, apply a half-and-half mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. Unfortunately for Fido, he’ll need an Elizabethan collar until the hot spot heals.
Fleas: Repel fleas from your dog’s fur or hair and relieve them of their itchiness using lemon water. PetMD recommends that you put lemons in a pot, pour boiling water over them and let them steep overnight. Then, apply the solution to your dog’s skin with a spray bottle.
If these or any problems worsen or don’t improve, contact your veterinarian right away.
Which pet home remedies do you swear by? Tell us in the comments below!
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2 Thoughts on “Home Remedies for Your Pet’s Everyday Maladies”
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I am a veterinarian and if a cat is truly blocked and cannot urinate, it is a medical emergency and needs to be seen by a veterinarian and have the obstruction relieved. No cranberry juice or powder will relieve this problem. The cat is in kidney failure and will die if the obstruction is not relieved. It also can be difficult to be sure if a cat is blocked or just straining to urinate so a veterinarian should be involved in determining this. If blocked, the cat needs immediate veterinary care. The catchy title of “home remedy for blocked cat” can lead to dire consequences (e.g. death).
Thank you so much for valuable input, Dr. Hardie. We have made some changes to the story to reflect your expert opinion. As the proud momma of three senior kitties, I thank you for looking out for our feline friends.
-Dana